Customer service is losing human touch
HINTS FROM HELOISE
HELOISE
Dear Heloise: I'm tired of people who speak so fast on the phone that you can't understand them. When I kept asking the woman on the other end of the line to please speak slower, I got a lot of attitude from her. Don't companies train their employees anymore? If your first contact with a company is a person who is rude or angry or cannot be understood, it leaves a very bad impression. This bad impression means lost business! — Rosemary S., in Milbank, South Dakota
Rosemary, most places provide little or no training. We're losing the human touch with each other. — Heloise
Let children help
Dear Heloise: After reading the hint about kids helping prep holiday meals, I wanted to chime in. When they were growing up, my three children were involved in setting up a beautiful table scape, baking pies, and then, of course, helping with cleanup! Now at 65, I'm enjoying holiday meals at my three children's homes because they enjoy hosting them so much. So, we all take turns! — Beth, in Texas
Old Bibles
Dear Heloise: Regarding the letter asking how to dispose of an old Bible, I can appreciate the sentiment that someone wants to keep the Bible that grandma touched and studied in support of her deep faith. But I think we have to be careful to not deify objects, including the Bible.
In the end, it's just a book. It does contain critically important information, but this information is carried on in newly published Bibles. I have no problem with simply destroying an old, now-useless Bible. I worship the Lord, not the book itself. I'm an old retired pastor. — J. Keith C., in Omaha, Nebraska
Candle wax woes
Dear Heloise: Liquid candle wax was accidentally spilled on my upholstered sofa, leaving about a 3-inch circular mess. Can you suggest a way to get this cleaned off? — Vicki V., in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Vicki, to get the candle wax off, place ice cubes that are wrapped in a dish towel on the wax. When the wax gets hard and brittle, you can scrape it off with a dull knife. If there's an oil stain underneath, you'll have to call in professional cleaners to clean the entire sofa and concentrate on the oil spot. If the wax has a vibrant color, you might have a difficult time. — Heloise
Getting a bidet
Dear Heloise: Reading the ongoing debate about single-ply versus quilted toilet paper, I wanted to add my two cents. I always thought whatever money I saved by buying single-ply was quickly used up when buying hand soap — that is, until I bought a bidet seat and now do a quick "single-ply verify." I wrote the date on the inside of the tube and discovered that one roll can last for four months. If you want to save money, and you're concerned about the environment and your personal hygiene, consider this option. Have a good bidet. — Doug P., via email
